Occurs most often in male adolescents involved in dare-type behaviors such as climbing utility poles or antennas. In rural areas, burns may be caused by moving irrigation pipes that touch an electrical source.

During the last 30 years, burn injuries have decreased by 50 percent in the US for the following reasons:

Increased use of smoke detectors

The flammability of consumer products, such as toys and pajamas, is federally regulated.

The US government monitors safety in the workplace

A greater national emphasis is placed on burn injury prevention and fire safety.

A decrease in smoking helps prevent burn injuries.

New water heaters in homes and in public areas are now preset at lower temperatures to reduce scald injuries.